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MLB 2017: One prediction for each team

By Joshua Sadlock

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 02: Kris Bryant
CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 02: Kris Bryant /
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Sep 28, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales (25) drives in a run with a ground rule double against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales (25) drives in a run with a ground rule double against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas City won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays: Kendrys replaces Edwin

This isn’t what the newly-reinvigorated Blue Jays fanbase wants to hear, but letting Edwin Encarnacion walk was the correct decision. Keeping an aging, costly roster together just for the sake of keeping the band together is rarely the correct decision in sports, no matter how hard that is to accept for fans. For a fraction of the cost, Kendrys Morales will provide comparable production without tying up the front office’s hands.

Morales is not Encarnacion, and replacing a 40-homer, 100-RBI bat is not an easy task. For his part, Morales is coming off a 30-homer season, the second of his career. He hit 52 home runs combined between 2015 and 2016, while playing in a pitcher-friendly park and division.

Seeing Encarnacion suit up for the Indians is going to be painful at first, but seeing Morales crank out 30 home runs this season will soften the blow. The Blue Jays need to focus on preparing for the next generation of stars. Extending Josh Donaldson would be the best first step. With an excellent pitching staff and several other All-Stars, the Jays will be fine without their two franchise icons, Encarnacion and Jose Bautista (assuming Joey Bats is not forced into accepting a very team-friendly pillow deal in Toronto).

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